D695 versus D694 and Buying Overseas

[Anotherworld Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Anotherworld]

Am interested in replacing my stock Dunlops. Many websites ship tyres from the states to Australia. The D695's come in at about $160 each plus shipping. Here in Aus a D694 might be around $300?

Has anyone gone this way for purchasing tyres?

Also, the D695 isnt available in Australia but looks like a successor to the D694. Havent seen any reviews or comparisons. Anyone else know of any?

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: D695 versus D694 and Buying Overseas

Am interested in replacing my stock Dunlops. Many websites ship tyres from the states to Australia. The D695's come in at about $160 each plus shipping. Here in Aus a D694 might be around $300?

Has anyone gone this way for purchasing tyres?

I looked into this recently when it came time to replace my tyres. At the time $1us = almost $1aud (near enough to parity at the time)

I was after some Yokohama geolander AT's

I priced the tyres and then asked for a shipping quote on the size tyre I wanted and the original quote came to under $1000aud (the customs/tax borderline). I then went and priced fitting, balancing and wheel alignment at a few local places and it all come up to being around $1100 for a complete set of five tyres fitted to the car. To get a set supplied and fitted locally it was going to be around $1400 so I thought $300 saving - yer baby.

I got back to the US tyre seller and asked for a firm quote on the tyres I wanted plus shipping to my door. He got back to me and after doing a currency conversion it ended up that from OS it would go above the $1000aud mark. I'm not sure if they include shipping in the customs/tax threshold but I took it that they do and after doing all the sums came up with a bit shy of $1300 ish to get the tyres to my door and get them fitted and all that goes with fitting new tyres. (that's before paying customs/tax on the tyres if I needed to).

I got a quote locally for exactly the same tyres fitted, balance and wheel aligned for $1450

For me the less stuffing around (delivery of tyres, taking them to the tyre place etc) and being able to talk with the local guy in case I have problems with the tyres was worth the little but more convenience and not being stung with customs/tax on the spur of the moment.

[Anotherworld Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Anotherworld]

Re: D695 versus D694 and Buying Overseas

THanks for that. I will do some browsing if nothing is cost effective I won't bother.

Antoher question, should I go up to 270/65 or 265/75 tyres rather than stick with the stock size and will this be a simple adjustment?

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: D695 versus D694 and Buying Overseas

Am interested in replacing my stock Dunlops. Many websites ship tyres from the states to Australia. The D695's come in at about $160 each plus shipping. Here in Aus a D694 might be around $300?

Has anyone gone this way for purchasing tyres?

Also, the D695 isnt available in Australia but looks like a successor to the D694. Havent seen any reviews or comparisons. Anyone else know of any?

My thoughts, what would u do if you destroyed a tyre, bit hard to get a replacement?? Go the 694

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: D695 versus D694 and Buying Overseas

should I go up to 270/65 or 265/75 tyres rather than stick with the stock size and will this be a simple adjustment?

IMO stick with standard or go for the 265/75/16 depending on what suspension lift/body lift (if any) you have as I think with a 265/75 tyres and no lift the tyres will rub in certain places at certain times.

I believe 265/75 is technically in need of an engineers certificate as it will be above the allowable increase in overall diameter.

Using a 270/65 will maybe make the sidewall stick out more putting it at more risk of damage off road and I'm not 100% if a 270 will fit on the standard rim properly, but it might.

someone with first hand knowledge will confirm these thoughts or you can search around on the forum and more info should be available somewhere